Peer Support Canada
Peer Support Canada is a Toronto-based nonprofit founded in 2013 that operates Canada's only nationally recognized peer support certification program, certifying individual peer supporters and family peer supporters across all provinces and territories under standards set with CMHA National.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Peer Support Canada does
Peer Support Canada (PSC) is a Toronto-based nonprofit organization founded in 2013 and operating as an entity of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) National. It administers the only nationally recognized peer support certification program in Canada, awarding the Certified Peer Supporter (CPS) and Certified Family Peer Supporter (CFPS) designations that are valid across all Canadian provinces and territories. Candidates must demonstrate alignment with PSC's National Standards of Practice, which encompass Core Values, Required Competencies, and a Code of Conduct, and complete a self-paced certification journey that includes an application, reference checks, a written Knowledge Assessment, and a verbal Competency Assessment typically finished within 3-4 months.
PSC delivers its certification through the PSC Online Portal, a self-serve platform that handles profile creation, applications, assessment scheduling, receipts, and appeals, with virtual assessments conducted via Zoom. The core revenue model rests on non-refundable certification fees totaling $1,200 per candidate ($200 application fee plus $1,000 assessment fee), with no group rates and no direct discounts or bursaries from PSC. Organizations can purchase certification credits in bulk to allocate to staff, and a February 2026 $100,000 RBC Foundation donation funds subsidized access for 130 BIPOC candidates. Secondary revenue comes from consultation services to workplaces, community organizations, and hospitals covering program design, training, policy development, and Community of Practice facilitation. Donations are managed and receipted by CMHA National.
PSC operates with a small disclosed team (Executive Director Allison Dunning and National Programs Coordinator Brookelyn Fortier as named staff) supported by an Advisory Committee established in February 2024. Strategic partners include CMHA National as parent, PeerWorks for the MAiD Discussion Series, and the University of Calgary for CIHR-funded research on youth peer support. The organization is currently working towards regaining independent charitable status to expand funding opportunities while continuing to operate under the CMHA National umbrella.
Peer Support Canada firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Peer Support Canada
- Legal name
- Peer Support Canada
- Website
- https://peersupportcanada.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Peer Support Canada is a Toronto-based nonprofit founded in 2013 that operates Canada's only nationally recognized peer support certification program, certifying individual peer supporters and family peer supporters across all provinces and territories under standards set with CMHA National.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Peer Support Canada industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Peer Support Certification Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (61171)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs (EDAJALAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Accreditation Evaluation, Peer Review & Site-Visit Organizations (EDADACAI)
Keywords
Where Peer Support Canada is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Peer Support Canada business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Certification Fees: Peer Support Canada generates revenue through certification fees. The certification program requires two non-refundable payments: a $200 application fee and a $1,000 assessment fee, totaling $1,200 per candidate. Organizations can purchase certification credits to allocate among staff members. No group rates are currently available.
- Donations: Donations are received to support access to certification for peer supporters. Donations to Peer Support Canada are managed and receipted by CMHA National. Examples include $200 to cover application fee, $1,000 for assessment fee, and $1,200 for complete certification journey for one candidate.
- Consultation Services: Expert consultation services offered to organizations for implementing or optimizing peer support programs, including needs assessments, training, policy development, and evaluation services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Full Certification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Provisional Certification |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Organization Bulk Credits |
| Subscription | Annual | RBC Foundation BIPOC Initiative |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Peer Support Canada product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Peer Support Canada administers the only nationally recognized peer support certification program in Canada, awarding Certified Peer Supporter (CPS) and Certified Family Peer Supporter (CFPS) designations. The assessment-based program requires 200+ hours of formalized peer support experience, two non-refundable fees ($200 application + $1,000 assessment), and successful completion of a written Knowledge Assessment and verbal Competency Assessment aligned with the National Standards of Practice. Certification is valid across all Canadian provinces and territories.
Product overview
Peer Support Canada operates as a single-product-focused organization centered on the National Peer Support Certification Program, which is the only nationally recognized peer supporter assessment program in Canada. The organization provides this certification through the PSC Online Portal, a web-based platform that handles participant profiles, applications, assessments (Knowledge Assessment and Competency Assessment), and appeals. In addition to certification, Peer Support Canada offers Consultation Services to organizations seeking to build or optimize peer support programs, providing needs assessments, customized training, policy development, and ongoing support through Communities of Practice.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- National Peer Support Certification Program A national assessment-based certification program for peer supporters and family peer supporters that verifies alignment with nationally endorsed Standards of Practice and is recognized across all Canadian provinces and territories. Awards Certified Peer Supporter (CPS) or Certified Family Peer Supporter (CFPS) designations. Requires 200+ hours of formalized peer support experience and successful completion of a written Knowledge Assessment and a one-to-one verbal Competency Assessment.
- Consultation Services Expert consultation services for organizations seeking to implement or optimize peer support programs. Includes needs assessments, customized peer support training, program operations and policy development, supervisor training, program evaluation, and Community of Practice facilitation. Targeted at workplaces, community organizations, and hospitals.
Quantifiable outcome
- 130 BIPOC peer supporters to be certified through RBC Foundation initiative
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Peer Support Canada
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Peer Support Canada technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Peer Support Canada partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- Peer-Led and Allied Organizations (Ethical Research)majorCoalition of organizations including CMHA National, CMHA Peel-Dufferin, Community Addictions Peer Support Association, Jack.Org, Krasman Centre, Lived Experience and Recovery Network, Patient/Client Family Council North Simcoe Muskoka, Peer Connections Manitoba, PeerWorks, Psychiatric Survivors of Ottawa, Robyn Priest Live Your Truth, Schizophrenia Society of Canada, Simcoe Peer Support Mental Health & Addictions, and Stonehenge Therapeutic Community. Jointly issued open letter calling for ethical, values-aligned research on peer support in hospital settings.
- Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) NationalcorePSC operates as an entity within CMHA National. CMHA provides capacity, stability, and visibility while PSC maintains lived experience-led foundation and autonomy. Together they champion peer support as vital part of community mental health across Canada. PSC provides guidance, standards, and best practices to CMHA branches delivering peer support services.
- PeerWorksmajorCo-facilitation of seven national MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying) Discussion Series sessions with 65+ peer supporters over 2025-2026. Joint development of guidance document for MAiD assessors, providers, and researchers on the role of peer support in MAiD policy and practice.
- University of CalgarymajorResearch partnership led by University of Calgary researchers with PSC staff support, funded by CIHR grant. Focus on understanding how peer support workers are hired, employed, and trained in organizations serving youth (16-29). Includes survey research and four-part virtual co-design sessions with peer support workers.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Peer Support Canada competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Intentional Peer Support: International peer support training and certification organization founded by Shery Mead. Comparable to PSC in delivering structured peer support training, values-based certification, and community of practice programming.
- PeerWorks: Ontario-based peer support organization offering training, Community of Practice, and resources for peer supporters. Comparable as a peer-led organization offering complementary peer support services and currently partnering with PSC on the MAiD initiative.
- Peer Support Australia: Australia's national peak body for peer support, providing training, certification, and standards for peer workers across Australia. Highly comparable to PSC as the analogous national certification body in mental health peer support.
- Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery: Provides WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) facilitator certification and training programs. Comparable as a peer-led mental health recovery credentialing body operating in a similar certification-driven model.
- National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS): U.S.-based national membership organization advancing the peer specialist workforce, including Certified Peer Specialist (CPS) credentialing and state-level recognition. Directly comparable to PSC as a peer specialist certification and advocacy body.
Broad incumbents
- Mental Health Commission of Canada: National mental health policy and standards body whose MHCC Guidelines for Peer Support inform PSC's certification standards. Comparable as a broader mental health organization shaping the peer support landscape in Canada.
- Mental Health America: U.S.-based oldest mental health advocacy organization providing peer specialist training programs and certifications. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering peer support training and credentialing.
- Canadian Mental Health Association: PSC's parent organization and Canada's most established community mental health nonprofit with 330+ branches. Comparable as a national mental health umbrella organization under which PSC operates.
- National Council for Mental Wellbeing: U.S. national mental health and substance use policy organization providing workforce certification, training, and policy advocacy. Comparable as a broad incumbent in mental health peer support professionalization.
Others
- Recovery International: International mental health peer-led mutual support organization founded in 1937. Comparable as an adjacent peer-led mental health support organization with structured training methodology.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Peer Support Canada social profiles
Digital presencePeer Support Canada financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Peer Support Canada leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Peer Support Canada funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Peer Support Canada M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Peer Support Canada
What does Peer Support Canada do?
Peer Support Canada administers the only nationally recognized peer support certification program in Canada, awarding Certified Peer Supporter (CPS) and Certified Family Peer Supporter (CFPS) designations. The assessment-based program requires 200+ hours of formalized peer support experience, two non-refundable fees ($200 application + $1,000 assessment), and successful completion of a written Knowledge Assessment and verbal Competency Assessment aligned with the National Standards of Practice. Certification is valid across all Canadian provinces and territories.
Is Peer Support Canada a public or private company?
Peer Support Canada is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Peer Support Canada founded?
Peer Support Canada was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Peer Support Canada based?
Peer Support Canada is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Peer Support Canada make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Certification Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and consultation Services.
Who are Peer Support Canada's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Intentional Peer Support, PeerWorks, Peer Support Australia, Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery and National Association of Peer Specialists (NAPS). Broad incumbents are Mental Health Commission of Canada, Mental Health America, Canadian Mental Health Association and National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Recovery International is listed as an others.
Does Peer Support Canada have an API?
No public API is recorded for Peer Support Canada.
What industry is Peer Support Canada in?
Peer Support Canada's product category is Peer Support Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJALAL, Student Mentoring & Peer Support Programs, with a secondary code of EDADACAI, Accreditation Evaluation, Peer Review & Site-Visit Organizations. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.